NOVEL NEXT chapter 89
89 – S-Rank Weapon (1)
After the emotional reward settlement due to Terra’s adjustments was completed.
As the sunset, which had painted the sky red, faded away, the dark night arrived.
A tent was pitched at the site of the forward base for rest.
Ah, of course, I didn’t forget to cleanse myself with the Spirit Circle before entering.
And the vigilance in preparation for a possible re-invasion…
Thud, thud.
– No abnormalities in vigilance.
The four golems that had set up the barrier with me.
Whirrrrr.
Dozens of drones, now operational thanks to the additional recovery of Terra’s computational power, were taking their place.
For reference, due to the modifications by the mechanical sorcerer Winley, both the golems and drones can absorb natural mana, allowing them to maintain vigilance 24/7, as long as there is no destruction from battle.
“Ha… today was truly exhausting.”
Having changed out of my combat uniform into more comfortable clothes, I let out a deep sigh and lay down on the makeshift bed.
Naturally, it wasn’t as comfortable as the beds in the academy dormitory or the accommodations at the base of the 9th Subjugation Unit within the association.
Still, perhaps due to the exhausting day I had, the bed felt surprisingly cozy despite its lack of plushness.
With that thought in mind, I fiddled with my smartwatch to organize the rewards I had earned today.
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250,000 points (+570,000) = 820,000 points
2 A-grade talent and skill selection tickets
3 Grade-up tickets (B-grade and below)
1 S-Grade item selection ticket
1 S-Grade item selection ticket
6 Random cheat usage tickets (+4) = 10 tickets
(Now the minimum usage is 20 tickets.)
2 Selective cheat usage tickets
(3 tickets left until infinite mana is unlocked.)
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The rewards neatly organized in my holographic notepad.
While it wasn’t as bountiful as the rewards from the last achievement quest, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
“Wow… to think I’d get an S-grade item as a reward.”
And not just a random one, but a selection ticket.
Even though it was just plain text, the selection ticket felt almost radiant as I gazed at it, before finally pushing the notepad aside.
“First, let’s try using the side tickets.”
A little appetizer before the main course.
I used the grade-up tickets first.
[The grade of Transmission (C) rises to Transmission (A).]
[The grade of Insight (B) rises to Insight (A).]
“Now it’s looking neat.”
Talents.
S, A+, A, A, A, A.
Skills.
A, A, A, A.
Every time I opened the status window, I felt a bit uncomfortable with the mix of B and C grades.
But now, that discomfort has faded away.
Of course, it makes sense to use the grade-up rights on talents or skills that are more useful than these, even if it means enduring some inconvenience.
However, is there really a need to purchase anything below B grade while spending points?
[820,000 points]
Just a little more, and I’ll have enough points to buy an S-grade talent, won’t I?
And now, quests don’t even give anything below A grade, and unless it’s a special case, it’s uncertain when I might acquire any abilities below B grade.
It’s better to use the grade-up rights on the abilities I already possess, just like I’m doing now.
…Though I’ve listed out these trivial reasons.
The decisive reason for using the grade-up rights on ‘Clairvoyance’ and ‘Teleportation’ is something else entirely.
That is, simply put.
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『Teleportation (A)』
Transports an owned item to a desired location.
– Transports an owned item within a radius of 1 km.
– The farther the distance, the greater the mana consumption.
– Cannot transport into the interior of a living being.
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『Clairvoyance (A)』
Allows you to know the total sum of an opponent’s talents, skills, and stats.
– Check the opponent’s talents and skills.
– Check the total sum of the opponent’s stats (grade).
– Mental +15
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When a skill reaches A grade, its effects are either added or changed.
“The name remains the same, though.”
I chuckled softly at what could be considered a flaw, as I checked the effects of the two skills.
First, for Teleportation, it changed from “transports an owned item to a desired location” to “transports an owned item to a desired location.”
And the distance has increased from ’50m’ to ‘1km.’
Now, with the distance being what it is, I can execute bomb sniping using clairvoyance and teleportation combos.
“Since it’s a possession…”
Does that mean I can do what I’m thinking right now?
As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I sat up from the cot and placed my feet on the floor.
Then, I teleported a rubber bullet from my inventory right in front of me.
Thud.
The rubber bullet dropped to the ground.
“Oh… this feeling?”
I could sense my magical power emanating from the rubber bullet sprawled on the floor like a stone.
And it was as if someone was whispering beside me, showing me how to use it, and the method of teleportation came to mind.
With that, I used teleportation once more towards the rubber bullet that wasn’t in contact with me.
The destination was my palm.
Pop.
With a slight drain of magical power, the rubber bullet that had been lying on the floor appeared on my palm.
“Nice!”
Until I upgraded my skill, teleportation required ‘contact with the body’ to align with the notion of ‘possessed items.’
But now, as long as I hold ‘ownership,’ I can teleport it anywhere within the restricted distance, even without contact with my body.
“Wow, this opens up a lot of tactical and strategic possibilities!”
I nodded, mulling over various combat techniques that sprang to mind, and then I put the rubber bullet back into my inventory.
“I see that the insight skill has a clear effect.”
I can check the total stats and rank of my opponent.
“Can I do it too?”
Thinking that, I used insight on myself.
[Total Stats: 384 / Mid-High Tier]
A message appeared, revealing the combined value of my physical and mental stats along with my rank.
“…Not bad.”
Though I said that, it was a rather useless effect.
After all, the main characters I’ve faced so far and the named opponents I fought with my life on the line all had higher stats than me. And I would continue to fight against foes stronger than myself in the future.
Given that, the newly added combat power gauge from the insight skill holds no value beyond mere amusement.
“Well… the mental stats have increased, so that’s enough.”
Just being able to assist in controlling the Demon Slayer (S) makes the skill worthwhile.
With a sense of satisfaction, I closed the two skill windows and pulled the point shop I had left open to the center.
And once again, without a moment’s hesitation, I purchased two talents with the ‘A-grade talent and skill selection’ option.
‘Combat Sense (A) – Purchase complete.’
‘Weapon Expert (A) – Purchase complete.’
[Combat Sense (A) and Weapon Expert (A) are compatible.]
[Would you like to combine the two talents? YES / NO]
Combat Sense, Weapon Expert.
As the names suggest, both talents enhance close combat abilities.
The reason I bought these close combat talents is that I’ve come to realize their necessity.
Until now, I had managed to deal with enemies solely through ranged combat.
But today, while fighting Grid, I felt it.
I can no longer face named enemies with just ranged combat.
Of course, when the Demon Slayer (S) is activated, strategies for defeating enemies do come to mind, efficient combat methods.
But while strategies may arise, it’s the body that must execute them.
No matter how good the software is, it’s useless if the hardware can’t keep up.
That’s why I purchased the close combat talents.
To enhance the utility of my body.
[Confirmation of talent combination accepted. The two talents will be combined.]
[As the two talents combine, you acquire the superior talent, ‘Master of Close Quarters Combat (A+)’.]
“Master of Close Quarters Combat, huh….”
I immediately checked the talent.
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「Master of Close Quarters Combat (A+)」
Surviving with any weapon you wield.
That is the essence of the Master of Close Quarters Combat.
– Applies ‘Efficient Combat’ during close combat.
– Applies ‘Deadly Attack’ when using a weapon.
– ‘From now on, it’s close combat’ skill can be used.
– Stamina +15
Strength +15, Agility +15
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「Efficient Combat」
Talent effect: ‘Master of Close Quarters Combat (A+).’
Additional bonuses for melee combat.
Stamina, energy, and magic adjustments for close combat.
Ability to visually perceive enemy attack trajectories during melee combat.
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「Deadly Strike」
Talent effect: ‘Master of Close Quarters Combat (A+).’
Additional bonuses for weapon usage.
Critical hit adjustments for weapon usage.
Ability to detect enemy ‘weaknesses’ when using a weapon.
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『From Now On, It’s Close Quarters Combat』
A skill derived from the talent ‘Master of Close Quarters Combat (A+).’
Can be activated when using a weapon.
– Creates an area where ranged attacks are impossible (1 km radius from the user.)
(However, the higher the enemy’s rank, the smaller the range.)
– Duration: 10 minutes.
– Cooldown time: 10 hours.
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“Simple, huh?”
Yet that simple effect was quite impressive.
All physical stats +15.
Two passive abilities: visual perception of attack trajectories and ‘weakness’ detection.
And finally, ‘From Now On, It’s Close Quarters Combat,’ an active skill.
“Oh, this is nice?”
It had an effect that was impressive enough to elicit admiration.
The downside was that I, as the user, couldn’t use ranged weapons either.
However, the effect was significant enough that, if used in specific situations, it could turn unfavorable circumstances to my advantage, making the downside not too substantial.
“I’ve gained a good melee talent.”
I nodded in satisfaction and closed the status window.
Then, I switched the point shop screen from talents and skills to the item list.
It was time to use my item selection rights.
“First, let’s go with the S- grade item selection.”
The main dish, the ‘S-grade item selection,’ was at the very end.
“…Last time, the S- grade was the main one.”
Time had passed to the point where it was now a side option.
Reflecting on this, I typed ‘S- grade’ and ‘buff’ into the point shop’s search bar.
I had enough dealing power and was covered defensively with Aigis, so it was time to acquire a buff.
I slowly scrolled down the list of items, checking each one carefully.
After spending some time, I finally found something.
“Oh…, this looks good.”
I had found a usable item.
[Would you like to use the S- grade item selection? YES / NO]
YES.
[The S- grade item selection has been used.]
The item appeared above my hand after the selection was made.
I used the system to check the item’s information.
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【Shattered Spear of Courage (S-)】
A spear said to have been used by the angel responsible for courage.
It has been destroyed by evil forces and has lost most of its power.
– When the spear is installed, applies the ‘Aura of Courage’ buff to allies within a 1km radius.
(All stats increase by 20%, health and mana recovery by 20%, and additional damage increases by 10%.)
– When the spear is installed, applies the ‘Aura of Weakness’ buff to enemies within a 1km radius.
(All stats decreased by 20%, health and mana recovery decreased by 20%.)
– When using the spear, the user receives the ‘Power of Courage’ buff.
(All stats increased by 30%.)
– When using the spear, the user receives the ‘Power of Life’ buff.
(Health and mana recovery increased by 30%.)
– When using the spear, the user receives the ‘Divine Flame’ buff.
(Increased damage by 20% against magical attribute enemies.)
– Holy Power +30
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“Wow…, the buff effects are insane.”
Using the spear grants a self-buff.
Setting up the spear provides a range buff.
The downside is that the buff only applies within a 1km radius when the spear is set up.
But for someone like me with infinite items, that downside is completely irrelevant.
Only a 1km range for the buff? Then I can just set it up every kilometer.
I nodded thoughtfully and placed the spear into my inventory.
As I did, the spear’s count changed to ‘9999+’ just like Aigis.
“Alright…, now for the long-awaited main event.”
The thought of soon acquiring an S-rank item…, no, a weapon, made my heart race.
“Whoo.”
I exhaled a breath heated with excitement and anticipation, typing ‘S-rank’, ‘weapon’ into the search bar.
Suddenly, the S- rank buff items listed in the point shop transformed into S-rank weapon items.
But then.
“Ah…, what the hell.”
The soaring expectations brought on by the words in my view came to an abrupt halt.
And they began to sink rapidly.
And it was no wonder.
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‘Galatine (S)’ – 3,000,000 points (not available for purchase)’
…
‘Grams (S)’ – 3,500,000 points (not for sale)
….
‘Kusanagi’s Sword (S)’ – 4,000,000 points.
….
‘Gungnir (S)’ – 10,000,000 points
….
…….
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Cursed weapons that devour their users or lead them to death.
And aside from the extremely difficult weapons from myth that test their users.
“Not for sale, not for sale, not for sale… not for sale. No, what’s going on? They’re all not for sale!”
Every S-rank weapon was marked as ‘not for sale.’
I cursed under my breath as I scrolled down the list.
But no matter how far I scrolled, I couldn’t find any weapons I could wield.
And before long.
“Ah, does this even make sense?!”
I couldn’t hold back my frustration and shouted out loud.
After venting my anger for a while.
“…Yeah, this is how it should be. How could I possibly have duplicates?”
I began to accept the ‘not for sale’ status.
I reflected on how I had thought it would be the same in reality as it was in the game.
With a deep sigh, I stopped scrolling.
And just as I was about to look for other items instead of weapons.
“…Wait a minute.”
Come to think of it, wasn’t there that one weapon?
I suddenly recalled the name of a weapon and typed it into the search bar.
And when I hit search.
‘Astra (S)’ – 50,000,000 points
“…It’s not there!”
Fortunately, the weapon I was looking for didn’t have a ‘not for sale’ tag attached to it.
It was even priced at a staggering 50 million points.
“…Ah, this isn’t the time for that.”
It was an item obtainable only in the very late game, and only through a hidden route, so it was unlikely to have an owner.
Still, you never know, so I hurriedly purchased Astra.
[It has been confirmed that the player possesses an S-rank item selection ticket.]
[Would you like to use the S-rank item selection ticket…….]
“Purchase! Quickly, purchase!”
[The S-rank item selection ticket has been used.]
A message appeared indicating that the selection ticket had been used.
Following that, a dazzling arrow, radiating brilliant light, materialized in my hand.
And the moment I grasped the arrow.
[You have acquired the bound item, Astra (S-rank).]
As the acquisition message appeared, a noble and beautiful voice, reminiscent of a young maiden, echoed in my ears.
– O bearer of the stars, I bestow upon you the blessings and trials of the stars.
– May you bravely navigate through adversity and strive towards the stars.
With the voice, presumed to be Astra’s ego, the light that had filled the tent vanished.
Only then could I properly see the form of the arrow.
“…Wow.”
A gasp escaped my lips.
The arrow resembled the cosmos itself.
In the game, it had merely been a solidified shape.
But the arrow I held now was alive, with stars flowing and twinkling like a real universe, constantly shifting and changing.
“Oh no, this isn’t the time for that….”
I needed to check the information, the information.
Lost in admiration as I stared at the arrow, I quickly snapped back to reality and checked Astra’s details.
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【Astra (S) – Sealed State】[Bound: Lee Yu-jin]
A mysterious arrow containing the stars of the universe.
In myth, this arrow can harness the power of the gods and can change into any form.
– Form「Change」
[Changing Form: Basic]
[No registered items.]
– Form “Imitation”
[Currently imitating form: None]
[Items sacrificed: 0 / 100,000]
– Form “Descend” (Sealed)
[Currently descending form: None]
[Items sacrificed: 0 / 1,000,000]
[This effect is currently unavailable.]
– All stats +50
– Indestructible.
[The item’s effects have been significantly reduced due to the user’s rank.]
[As the rank increases, the reduced effects will rise.]
– Overcome adversity and move towards the stars.
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Though the effects listed are fewer than those of other S-rank equipment brimming with various effects, they are by no means to be underestimated.
Despite being drastically reduced due to my rank, the increase of 50 to all stats is nothing to scoff at.
The words “Imitation” and “Descend” written in the item’s effects hold true to their meanings.
“Imitation” allows for form changes with S-rank weapons beneath the myth.
“Descend” possesses the ability to change forms even with weapons said to be wielded by the gods of myth.
Of course, there is the drawback of needing to sacrifice items.
But as I mentioned earlier, this is a non-issue for me, given my infinite items.
Still, just to be sure.
I took an item from my inventory and held it up to Astra.
In an instant, the item was sucked into Astra as if being drawn into the cosmos.
[Items sacrificed: 1 / 100,000]
The count of items increased.
Seeing that change, I grinned and opened my inventory wide.